Youngest on Top - Chapter 215

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 215

I had never even imagined this would be an appealing condition.
Yet the world within the Mana Network held every conceivable opinion imaginable.

-A handsome man with bulging muscles and a large frame safely abducting you after getting consent sounds amazing lolol
-Agreed. He absolutely must carry you away with one arm lolol
-Ugh! I’m sleeping with my window open starting tonight.

Below that, comments of agreement continued endlessly.

“Of course, in this modern age, even abductions proceed with consent. But if your preferences align—”

The foreign journalist wasn’t exaggerating as he appealed while sweating profusely.

-The bigger the crystal screen, the more husbands the better!
-Three isn’t enough. You need at least five or so….
-Eat delicious food cooked by an affectionate husband, receive shoulder massages from a charming husband overflowing with aegyo, get escorted by a well-built stoic knight husband (shy on the inside), and at night you need to make the shameless husband submit.
└That’s the real deal
└A true connoisseur
└No flaws in this selection

The one-wife-multiple-husbands system was the same.

“Actually, the one-wife-multiple-husbands system is better. It can satisfy various preferences.”

‘Those damned journalists…!’

Why did they come all the way to someone else’s country to stir up trouble!!
Thinking of how they had cornered Saelika and elaborated on every detail made me so furious I’d jolt awake even from sleep.

“What good are multiple mediocre husbands! One solid husband is worth ten questionable ones!!”

Remembering the Imperial journalist who had passionately shouted without backing down against the onslaught of abduction marriage and one-wife-multiple-husbands advocates calmed me down somewhat.

‘Should I award him Journalist of the Year?’

In the Emperor’s view, there was no finer journalist than that one.

‘Kaishurit is reliable enough… No, that guy isn’t reliable at all.’

Especially compared to Saelika, my son is a bit… no, very strange.
About as much as that Mikhail from House Ekkelan…
Or in some ways, even more twisted than Mikhail…

‘Damn it, if he’s going to be strange anyway, he should at least have the talent to seduce women. What the hell has he been doing all this time without even charming my future daughter-in-law?!’

The Emperor lamented.

“Ha. When I was young, I caused all sorts of scandals with the most renowned Young Ladies. But Shuri doesn’t take after me in this regard…”

The Nobles’ eyes widened.

‘Is this the first time His Majesty has spoken of the Crown Prince in such a manner?!’
‘Shuri… calling him so casually in an official setting like this.’
‘He doesn’t take after His Majesty in this regard… then does that mean he takes after His Majesty in other ways?’

Kaishurit was technically the Crown Prince.
But he was a Crown Prince in name only, rarely attending official functions.
He had never even attended a state council meeting.
And yet…!

“Tsk, tsk! The guy has a decent face, you know. No, more than just decent? Frankly, he’s my own son, but he’s so strikingly handsome I wonder if he’s even human!”
“…”
“Is it just his face? Tall, broad shoulders, and his chest is so—”
“Ahem, ahem-hem-hem!!!”

Duke Makandor, the Emperor’s closest aide, covered the rest with a cough.
The Emperor acting without dignity was nothing new.
But no matter how much he did it, shouting in the state council chamber about how his son’s chest was so—was…

The Emperor looked at Duke Makandor with displeasure.

“Why are you like that? Does it bother you that my son is handsome?”
“That’s not it, Your Majesty. I—”
“It’s not my fault your son is ugly!!”
“My son is handsome too, Your Majesty! He even made the list of men women want to marry!!”

Duke Makandor erupted at the sudden personal attack on his son.

“Handsome? More than my son Shuri?”
“T-That is…! That’s unfair, Your Majesty!”
“Hmph, what’s unfair is what you do when we play chess together.”
“Are you still holding a grudge about losing yesterday?”
“Hmph!”

The nobles felt their minds reeling at the conversation between these two titans who shook the empire.

‘But in times like this, I must keep my wits about me!’
‘His Majesty laughs and acts undignified, but then immediately issues execution orders!’

How many noble houses had been wiped out by the Emperor’s hand while he joked like that!
The nobles strained to understand the situation, their nerves on edge.

‘Has His Majesty truly acknowledged Kaishurit as the legitimate Crown Prince now?’
‘I’ve never seen him praise anyone like that, going on about “my son” all the while.’

Kaishurit held the title of Crown Prince, but he was essentially without real authority.
While his own wandering outside had been the greatest factor, the Emperor himself had never given him practical education as Crown Prince.

So the nobles had reasoned.
That Kaishurit was merely a restraining force to prevent the imperial princes from engaging in fierce succession struggles among themselves.
That when the time came, the Crown Prince would change.

‘But essentially, aside from his womanizing, didn’t he just praise him for resembling himself in everything?’
‘To push the Crown Prince this far…what could have caused such a change of heart?’

The Emperor let out a heavy sigh as if troubled.

“I should summon that fellow to my private chambers today. I must pass on my superior techniques to him.”

‘He’s transferring his imperial abilities in his private chambers?’
‘And he’s saying this publicly…’

Gulp.
The Nobles swallowed hard.
The political landscape was already shifting due to the Sacred Maiden Selection, and now this.
If the Crown Prince matter was added to this—.

‘Truly, a great upheaval!’

The Emperor declared firmly.

“That way, before anyone else snatches her away, I can bring my precious little one here.”
“…?!”

What on earth was the hidden meaning behind those words?
That was when it happened.

“Your Majesty.”

The Perardin Noishurael Duke called out to the Emperor with a cold expression.
The Nobles’ eyes widened.

It was already surprising that this lord of the snowy plains, who rarely visited the capital, continued to remain here.
And yet he was attending the state council.
Moreover, he was even speaking.

‘In a situation where great upheaval is foretold, what could he possibly say to His Majesty…!’
‘Whatever it is, I cannot miss a single word.’
‘I must discern the hidden meanings within!’

The Nobles held their breath, waiting for the Duke’s words.

“Give it up.”

‘Give up what?’
‘Is the Perardin Noishurael Duke opposed to Kaishurit becoming the next Emperor?!’
‘To openly defy His Majesty the Emperor like this…!’

“No matter how much you pout, that child said she likes Artemia the most.”
“….”
“….”
“….”

The nobles stared at the Perardin Noishurael Duke with bewildered expressions.
What was wrong with him now?!

‘Why is he saying it like “My child said daddy is her favorite!”‘

It was truly unbecoming of the Perardin Noishurael Duke.

* * *

The day the Grand Sacred Maiden Selection broadcast aired.
Ilay spoke in admiration.

“The buzz is incredible. I thought today would have less firepower since it’s neither the competition day nor the results day.”
“The Grand Sacred Maiden Selection itself has become a worldwide issue now.”
“That’s all thanks to our Protagonist causing such a stir!”
“Well, that’s not wrong. Sae made waves again by introducing the Elves.”

Edmund, Dmitri, and Roana chimed in.

“But the problem is they’re trying to concentrate all this buzz on one person.”

Ilay spoke while watching Amelia reflected in the crystal viewing stone.

[Sacred Maiden Amelia has received the most love and support from the people. This is truly the most essential quality for a Grand Sacred Maiden.]

At the Host’s words, Amelia smiled brightly.

“Tsk. The most love and support? If the voting had been held later, our Protagonist would’ve taken first place!”
“Either way, Amelia came in first within the rules.”
“But our Protagonist came in first in the mission too!”
“If you had to choose between mission first place and voting first place, voting first place is the better choice.”
“Why on earth!”
“It’s the same principle as a temple with more influence over people gaining greater power. What matters most for a Grand Sacred Maiden is the people’s support and love. That’s how she can wield greater power.”

Strength and weakness can be reversed at any moment.
Honestly, it was uncertain whether I was actually stronger than Amelia.
I had never tested my abilities against Amelia’s directly.

‘My power would certainly be greater. This is an inherent trait of my soul, carried over from my time as an angel.’

But being a Sacred Maiden with greater power didn’t necessarily make her stronger.
Parmanase was a temple with far greater influence than Artemia.

Of course, Amelia would have less total sacred power than me—.

‘But her sacred affinity is extraordinary.’

That meant the same amount of sacred power could produce entirely different results.

‘…It’s so high that it’s as if both her soul and body were angelic— no.’

I shook my head.
An angel’s body has limitations when descending to this realm.
So for her sacred affinity to be that high, it would be more like—

‘—as if she were the daughter of a god.’

The daughter of a god.
Such a thing couldn’t possibly exist.
At the absurd thought, I let out a small laugh.

Just then, Dmitri spoke up indignantly.

“No matter what happens, our Protagonist can’t lose!”
“I told you. The Grand Sacred Maiden—”
“Our Protagonist is the strongest! Those fools at Operations Headquarters are blind!!”
“Dmitri.”
“Actually, I think what he’s saying might be right this time?”

Edmund showed me Manashell.

“The Sacred Maiden who receives the greatest support and love from the people.”
“….”
“It’s you, not Amelia.”

-Ugh, what? I thought the Elf King would appear again, but he didn’t show up at all.
Yeah, it came out. Just a rerun of the old video lol
-I thought we’d see a scene where Sacred Maiden Saelika communicates with the Elf King.
What’s with this Amelia special episode? lol
-What’s the point of negotiating with the Elves of the World Tree that hasn’t been corrupted and even bloomed flowers, and bringing them back? They clap a few times and give all the spotlight to someone else.
-They drew so much aggro back then, and now the management headquarters has lost their touch.
-If they couldn’t get the Elf King cut, they should at least give Saelika good lighting.
I used to respect Amelia, but seeing her push too hard is turning me off ㅠㅠ I feel bad for Saelika..ㅎ

“Um….”

I was at a loss for words at this unexpected response.
Ilay chuckled softly.

“There’s no law in this world that says you must follow only the results, regardless of the process.”
“Everyone has witnessed how Sae achieved first place, the entire process.”
“Regardless of the results, it was your actions that moved people’s hearts.”
“You didn’t follow the given path and compete with the other Sacred Maidens—you forged a new path.”

-We support you, Sacred Maiden Saelika!
-The voting method was just wrong!
I want to change my vote that I cast for a different saint to a vote for you ㅠㅠ
-Sacred Maiden Saelika, fighting!
-We’ll definitely pick Sae for the next mission!!!
-In my heart, our Sae is always first!

I gazed quietly at the cheering messages that came to mind.
And I smiled widely.
And he grinned wickedly.

“That’s right! Whether she’s an angel, a daughter of God, or some kind of mutant human—.”

In my past life, whether it was an existence I couldn’t possibly resist or had to submit to.

“—So what?”

I clenched my fists tightly.

“I’ve always been talented at throwing punches at angels!”
“That’s what makes me Honeybread!”
“Beat them all!!”
“Knock them flying!!”
Edmund, ever the nobleman, spoke with reluctance.
“…Are you sure about our Sacred Maiden and the priests?”
“You’re not going to hit the kids who bully Honeybread?”
“…Of course I will.”
The children giggled.

* * *

Five days later.
With Kaiser’s escort, I hopped down from the carriage.

Click click click click—!!
The moment I descended, the shutter sounds of camera magic devices rang out incessantly.
The floating video recording magic devices all turned toward me at once.

“Sacred Maiden Saelika, would you say a few words about today’s invitation to the imperial palace!”
“There are rumors that His Majesty the Emperor held this banquet for the Sacred Maiden!”
“Were you already acquainted with the King of the Elves?”
“Things have been chaotic over the matter of exchanges with the Elves. Do you truly believe there’s a possibility of exchange with them?”

The journalists rushed toward me frantically with their questions.
Even those who had been directing their attention toward Amelia.

Whoosh.
Then, Kaiser stepped forward protectively in front of me.
At his commanding presence, the journalists hesitantly retreated.

But there was one zealous journalist who refused to give up on a scoop even while intimidated.

“Th-there were also rumors you were in a passionate affair with the Crown Prince, is that tru…!”

The journalist, desperately trying to extract an answer, went deathly pale and stopped breathing.
It was as if she had seen a ghost.

“…?”

When I turned to look at Kaiser, he gently placed his hand on my head.
It was a warm touch.

“Let’s go in.”
“Yes.”

I climbed the broad staircase.
Today, the Emperor had arranged a banquet for the Sacred Maidens who had passed the previous mission.
Naturally, all eyes were focused on it, and all manner of rumors were circulating.

“The Emperor favors Sacred Maiden Saelika, doesn’t he? I bet he’s throwing this banquet to make her the protagonist since she got the cold shoulder on the broadcast.”
“From what I heard, he’s using this banquet as an excuse to match her with the Crown Prince.”

‘…Really, no matter what, that’s too much.’

I shook my head in disbelief.

‘That couldn’t possibly be—.’

“Sacred Maiden Saelika’s seat is this way.”
“….”
“Kaiser’s seat is waaaaaay over there.”
“….”
“Ah, Duke? The Duke’s seat is also waaaaaay over there.”
“….”
“The Admiral’s seat is next to the Duke.”
“….”
“Demian and Mikhail are seated on the same side as well.”
“….”

I watched the Attendant cheerfully directing us—clearly one of the Emperor’s close attendants, though I couldn’t understand why he was guiding us to our seats—and asked.

“I believe there may be an error with my seating arrangement?”
“That cannot be. His Majesty personally designated this seat for you, Sacred Maiden Saelika.”
“But then why is my seat placed among the imperial family’s… family section?”
“What? Family section? There is no separate family section at this banquet.”
“…Then why is my seat wedged between His Majesty and the Crown Prince? The Empresses’ seats are all around me.”
“Haha! Merely a coincidence!”

But he just said the Emperor personally designated it!
I had only just entered, yet simply glancing at the name cards placed on the table made my head spin.

At that moment, I did not know.
That far more dizzying events awaited me at this banquet!

“W-w-Elves?!”
“Are those really Elves?!??!!”
“Goodness…! Elves appearing at an Imperial banquet!”

The Elves had arrived!

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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